Monthly Archives: June 2014

Hello, Again! Since I haven’t figured out a schedule yet on how often I’ll be posting, I just felt like making a few comments today.

First I like to say Thank You so much for all of your kind comments regarding my upcoming adventure. I’m so lucky that I have so many people praying and sending good thoughts in this endeavor. I’m blessed to have all of you as part of my life. I try not to think about this every second of the day, but I have to be honest that when I woke up in the middle of the night, it was hard to get back to sleep. I was thinking about all the things I need to accomplish prior to the surgery and asking myself how I’ll accomplish all that I need to do after I get home. I guess it’s time to break out the lists! Thank you, Meghan!

I don’t want to be one of those people who all I talk about is my “condition.” I will make all efforts not to be, but as I said yesterday, I think it might be interesting to those of you who have never been through something like this to hear about it. I’VE never been through something like this and I’m interested. So we can all learn the twists and turns of it together.

I have to give credit for the title of yesterday’s post, “Twice As Hip.” When my friend John heard about the surgery he said that now I would be twice as hip. I thought it was pretty funny. I immediately stole it for a hashtag on Instagram and as my title yesterday. Thank you, John!

Now, regarding today’s title. I remember reading probably a year or two ago that it’s good to take a break from listening to the news. Believe me, with some of the news you hear today, all of the political bickering and such, it’s good to take a break. It wasn’t a conscious break. I just stopped listening to the news. I think it has been a good thing. I grew up as a news junkie. As a grade schooler, I remember being glued to the Huntley/Brinkley report at night. I’m not kidding…Ask my sister, Ele! I wanted to know what was going on all the time. If there had been cable news back then, I would have been in real trouble. I know there would have been constant fights with my Dad because I would want to be up all night watching it. I did become news-crazed for a while after the inception of all news all the time TV. I weaned myself from it then all of a sudden I just stopped.

I’m back into a much more sane approach to news. Now that my sleep cycle is so wacky and I’m up early, I’ve started watching again. That’s pretty much all that’s on unless I wanted to be enticed with getting a Free Nutri-Bullet for the one hundredth time!!

I’m a little more informed these days, but not too much. I’d still rather watch Food Network and reruns of Frasier. So for now, it’s me and Charlie Rose in the mornings along with the local newscasters. I’ve always loved Charlie and he’s a good way to start the day.

Monday has lots of plans for me and I’d better get to it. Hope the rain holds off because I need to go grocery shopping.

As promised, I am still among the land of the living and I have returned. I was rather cryptic with my last post and it’s time for some clarification.

Over the last year or so I’ve been experiencing some pain in my joints, in my hips to be specific. It was occasional and was strangely most evident while trying to get in and out of the car. I could do stairs fine, I could walk fine. As late as last summer and fall I was fine. I walked long distances on my trip to Maine in August, I walked distances when we were in New Mexico into October.

But when the weather turned cold here in New Jersey late last fall, things started to change. I think it was the combination of the cold and the damp (one of the major reasons we want to leave New Jersey) that exacerbated the situation. I plugged along through the holidays and into the New Year. As the days went on, it was harder and harder to climb stairs, walk any distances and even as simple as sitting down then standing again. I’d have some better days and I tried to stay positive, but for most days, it was a struggle.

I went to my family doctor who ordered hip x-rays and an MRI of my lower back. Turns out I have degenerative joint disease (DJD) in my hips and lower spine. She suggested I see an orthopedic doctor. I hit a few bumps in the road in my first attempts to see someone.

However, I’ve heard from a number of friends that the Rothman Institute in Philadelphia is the best of the best. I called and I was amazed that I was able to get an appointment in only three days. Having no idea which doctor to ask for (although I had read up on them on the website) I simply asked the scheduler for an appointment. She replied, “Well, we have an appointment with Dr. Rothman on Thursday.” When I picked my chin up off the floor I picked my appointment time and I was on my way.

I will be having double hip replacement on July 23. Dr. Rothman said that recovery time is the same for one as it is for two. I need both done, they are equally in need of replacement. He told me he doesn’t recommend it to everyone, but in spite of my age, I’m in good health and in good shape.

In the meantime, On July 8 I’m scheduled for a day of a physical, giving blood to be available if necessary during the surgery and pre-admission testing. After surgery and two days in the hospital, I’ll be staying with my friend Gail because her home is bigger and will allow me more room to move around and do re-hab.

I also have a ton of things to accomplish prior to the surgery. I want to get a lot of things done around the house, more of my continual sorting and purging. In spite of the fact that I’m Much slower getting around lately, I have gotten a lot accomplished. I want to keep that progress going as much as possible over the next few weeks.

I am anxious and excited and scared all at the same time. I know that I couldn’t be in better hands and I can’t go on with this pain and lack of mobility. That is almost scarier than the thought of the surgery.

That’s enough for now. I will be keeping everyone updated on my progress. This is going to be an adventure for me as I have never had major surgery. You can all come along with me on this path. I’m glad to be back here sharing with all of you again. I’m going to try to stay calm.

Contrary to what some of you might be thinking…I AM ALIVE!! There have been a lot of things going on that have caused me to be away from BCDC. All (or almost all!) will be revealed over the next few posts. The adage “getting old is not for sissies” is true. Some health issues are beating my brains out and I’m working with them. I’m keeping a positive attitude and an open mind to all possibilities. As I type this, I’m also learning that I’m a bit out of practice with my typing…thank goodness for the back space button!!

Life in general is good and I VERY MUCH miss all of you. I’ve been following many of you on Instagram and Twitter, but I haven’t been on my computer much lately, hence no comments on blog posts. That will be changing. I need it to change, because I miss this whole crazy blog thing and I want to get back to it.

I hope and plan to get back on a schedule of posting and sharing the craziness (which promises to get crazier soon!) of my life. So much to share and discuss. Those of you who see this, because you actually still know where to find BCDC and care enough to be patient until my return…Thank You so much. I look forward to reading and commenting on your posts and I very much look forward to hearing from all of you.